Neighborhood Safety Program Overview
The City Council authorized the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) in June 2014. The purpose of the Program is to re-energize Neighborhood Associations by empowering them to work collaboratively to identify, prioritize and address pedestrian and bicycle safety issues in Kirkland neighborhoods.

The Program is funded by the voter approved 2012 Streets Levy ($150,000 per year) and City Council's Walkable Kirkland Initiative ($200,000 per year until 2020). Each year there is a total of $350,000 available for projects citywide under $50,000. Projects fall into the following categories:

Street Light: On existing utility pole or installing a light new pole.

Improvements are restricted to City property including streets, parks, community facilities, and the Cross Kirkland Corridor.

*Concerns related to traffic calming (including cut-through traffic) and sight distance will be forwarded to the Neighborhood Traffic Control Program (NTCP) prior to being eligible for funding through the Neighborhood Safety Program. These projects require data collection and a public outreach process before traffic calming devices can selected and implemented. Once they have been through this neighborhood process, and traffic calming changes have been approved, the project will be eligible to compete for funding through the Neighborhood Safety Program.

Work with your Neighbors
A primary goal of the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) is to reenergize Kirkland’s Neighborhood Associations. Individuals, community organizations, and businesses are encouraged to work directly with their respective Neighborhood Associations to help identify, review, and prioritize NSP projects.

Find your Neighborhood Association
To find your Neighborhood Association, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/neighborhoods and select Neighborhood Associations in the left navigation. Enter your address in the “Find Address” field located above the Neighborhood Association map.

How to Apply
The steps below outline the process for submitting a NSP project idea and application:

Step 1: Suggest a Project
Enter your project idea in the “Suggest a Project” interactive map at any time during the year. (Click the “I want to…” orange button and then select “Submit a Project Idea” in the drop-down dialog box. The interactive map will step you through pinpointing your project location, selecting a project type and describing your idea.) The City reviews and responds to all suggestions and will let you know if your project meets the NSP parameters. All suggestions will be shared with your Neighborhood Association and posted on the City’s web site.

Step 2: Attend Neighborhood Association meeting
At your Neighborhood Association meeting, you will be able to participate in the following:

Select the highest priority project(s) from the “Suggest a Project” list. (Note: Each Neighborhood can select a maximum of two projects totaling less than $50K combined. Rapid Flashing Beacons are estimated at $50K.).

Identify a Neighborhood Project Coordinator who will become the project advocate. They are responsible for soliciting support for the project, attending a Project Conference, completing the application and working with staff to keep the project on track during implementation.

Complete and submit a Project Idea form for selected project(s). (Note: This is typically done by the Project Coordinator).

City staff will review all Project Idea forms, help refine solutions to meet City standards, and develop cost estimates for Step 3.

Step 3: Submit NSP Project Application
Before the application is complete, City staff will meet with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator at a Project Conference to go over the scope and budget of each project. Staff will also work closely with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator to complete the project application. (Note: Each Neighborhood can submit a maximum of two projects totaling less than $50K combined. Rapid Flashing Beacons are estimated at 50K.)

Neighborhood Safety Program Project Evaluation
There are two evaluation steps to select projects for the recommendation to the City Council. The evaluation criteria used by City staff and the neighborhood panel is listed below:

City Staff Panel—Technical Safety Criteria (0–100 points)
The City staff panel is made up of an interdepartmental team who will evaluate the safety problem and viability of the solution of the project. Staff will also assess if the project completes a missing segment of important transportation network, addresses a recognized safety need, is consistent with adopted plans, and meets City standards.

Neighborhood Panel—Neighborhood and Community Criteria (0–100 points)
The neighborhood panel is made up of elected representatives from all of Kirkland’s Neighborhoods who will evaluate the neighborhood and community benefit and support of the project. The neighborhood panel will also assess if the project expands and/or strengthens the neighborhood and community, addresses a recognized safety need (especially with a vulnerable population), and will result in a lasting, positive impact for the community.

Neighborhood and Community Contribution
One of the primary goals of the NSP is to foster collaboration between neighborhoods and community organizations to leverage the limited resources. Contributions are encouraged (but not required). The following items qualify as contributions:

Donated professional services

Donated materials or supplies

Volunteer labor

Grants

Cash donations

The following are some basic requirements for neighborhood and community contributions:

The amount and type of contribution must be appropriate to the needs of the project.

Assistance from City staff or funds from elsewhere in the City cannot be counted as a contribution.

Time spent preparing the application or fundraising cannot be counted as a contribution.

All volunteer labor is valued at $23.56 an hour.

Professional services, if needed for the project, are valued at the “reasonable and customary rate.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Neighborhood Association InvolvementDoes a Neighborhood Association review, evaluate, and submit all NSP projects proposed within that neighborhood? One of the main goals of the Neighborhood Safety Program is to reenergize neighborhoods and create opportunities for collaboration within neighborhoods. Neighborhood Project Coordinators are strongly encouraged to work with the Neighborhood Association(s) where the project is located. Additional points are given to projects that are ranked and supported by the Neighborhood Association(s).

Developing Project Cost EstimatesWho determines the costs of improvements? City staff and project engineers will review the Project Idea form and help the Neighborhood Project Coordinator scope the project and determine cost estimates. (Note: Actual costs may vary depending on contractor prices and if City staff can do the construction.)Project ConferenceWhat happens at the project conference? City staff and project engineers will meet with the Neighborhood Project Coordinator to answer questions, refine project scope, develop final cost estimates, and create maps and project plans that will be submitted with the NSP application. The NSP application will be available at the conference.
Project Compliance with PlansHow does an applicant know if a project is identified in a plan? City staff can help Neighborhood Project Coordinators determine if a project is identified in the Neighborhood Plan, Capital Improvement Program, Transportation Master Plan, or other relevant plans.